Chapter 2 - THE MAN AT THE END OF THE TABLE
The silence inside the grand dining room became deafening.
Every eye at the table shifted toward the far end.
Mark Vance sat motionless in his velvet-upholstered chair.
He was Gabriel’s chief financial advisor.
He was the man Gabriel trusted with every bank account, every offshore ledger, and every secret contract.
Mark’s hand froze inches from his wine glass.
“Mark?” Gabriel’s voice was dangerously low.
Mark managed a stiff, nervous smile.
“The child is confused, Gabriel. She’s five years old. She doesn't know what she's saying.”
Lily clutched the fabric of my black uniform skirt.
“No,” she whispered loudly. “I remember his jacket. It had silver buttons. And he gave Mommy an envelope with red numbers on it.”
My blood ran cold.
I had hidden those red numbers in the lining of my winter coat for three years.
Gabriel’s gaze snapped back to me.
“What envelope, Rachel?”
I swallowed hard.
“The night Daniel died,” I whispered, “he came home bleeding. He handed me a sealed envelope. He told me if he didn't return from the warehouse, I was to give it to Gabriel.”
“Why didn't you?” Gabriel’s voice cracked.
“Because two days later,” I choked out, “Mark and Vanessa came to our apartment. They threatened to burn it down with us inside if I ever spoke your name or handed over anything.”
Mark stood up abruptly.
“This is an absurdity! A fabricated lie by a disgruntled maid trying to extort money!”
Gabriel did not look at Mark.
He pulled a heavy silver-plated pistol from his holster with terrifying smoothness.
“Sit down, Mark,” Gabriel whispered.
Mark didn't move.
Gabriel stepped forward, the barrel of the gun resting right between Mark’s eyes.
“If you move an inch toward that door,” Gabriel said softly, “I won't just kill you. I'll make sure you beg for it.”
Vanessa shrieked, clutching her silk dress.
“Gabriel, put that down! We are having a dinner party! Your associates are watching!”
Gabriel glanced around the room.
Every wealthy guest sat frozen, terrified to even breathe.
“Clear the room,” Gabriel ordered his guards.
Within thirty seconds, the dining hall was empty except for Gabriel, Mark, Vanessa, Lily, and me.
Gabriel knelt before my daughter again.
“Lily, sweetie, can you tell Uncle Gabe where Mommy hid the red numbers?”
Lily nodded solemnly.
“In the old brown coat behind the door.”
Gabriel stood up and looked directly into my eyes.
“Rachel, stay right here with the guards. We are going to find out the truth.”
He grabbed Mark by the collar and dragged him toward the private study.
Vanessa stumbled after them, weeping hysterically.
I stood under the giant crystal chandelier, my heart pounding against my ribs like a trapped bird.
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The nightmare was just beginning.
And there was nowhere left to hide.
